What is the IKEv2/IPsec Protocol? All You Need to Know

Ruheni Mathenge  - Streaming Expert
Last updated: October 28, 2023
Read time: 9 minutes
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IKEv2 (often implemented as IKEv2/IPSec in VPNs) is a communication protocol that establishes Security Association (SA) in IPSec.

THE TAKEAWAYS

IKEv2/IPSec protocol – Internet Key Exchange version 2 (IKEv2) and IPSec suite- is among the top-notch tunneling protocols most VPN services employ for providing the best security features, fast speed, and stable connection to the user. It controls request and response actions via certain key exchange algorithms and establishes Security Association (SA) between the device and the VPN server. Subsequently, it encrypts the data traffic between the two entities in a network. In this honest guide, we have covered everything about IKEv2/IPSec protocol that you should know.

Today, VPNs no more remain a strange technology. VPNs now have multiple use cases, becoming an essential privacy tool for everyone. Therefore, it’s vital to know about the various VPN connection protocols to make the best of this tool. One of the most common protocols you’ll see in most VPN services is the IKEv2 protocol. (You may also frequently find it as “IKEv2/IPSec” protocol.)

This article elaborates on the IKEv2/IPSec protocol, how it works, comparison with other protocols, and much more. 

IKEv2/IPSec protocol: The definition

Internet Key Exchange version 2 (IKEv2) is a popular tunneling protocol that controls request and response actions. In addition, it establishes and handles the Security Association (SA) attribute to protect the communication between two entities. 

The first version, Internet Key Exchange (IKE), was introduced in 1998 as IKE version 1 (IKEv1). It was later upgraded to Internet Key Exchange version 2 (IKEv2) in 2005.

IKEv2 is popular because it is faster, secure, stable, has low CPU usage, and quick reconnection. Also, it is a bit lightweight, so it is suitable for mobile devices, especially iOS. 

Usually, IKEv2 is paired with the authentication suite IPSec, a joint project between Microsoft and Cisco to form IKEv2/IPSec protocol. This combination is and to protect connections.